Tuesday, July 31, 2007

OK sign ups start August 3, but I have a busy charity bike event this weekend so am posting...

Knit 1 Tea 2 Color Swap QuestionnaireDo you like loose tea or bags, or both – something you want to try?I like both

What is your favorite kind of tea (Brand, flavor, variety, etc)?I received some of the Harney tea in a swap package, cinnamon and pomegranate...holy moley just so darned good!!

Favorite color in regards to tea or one you would like to try? (black, green, red, and white) (keeping in mind that this is how this swap is set up).Hmmmm..I would like to try red as I have had the others

Would you say you were a tea pot kind of person or just a hot water heater kind?Tea pot when time allows

What tea accessories would you like but have never purchases for yourself?A tea ball thingie

How do you prefer to be pampered? (examples: mani/pedi, bubble bath, yummy treat, etc).Ooooohhhh always a bubble bath, then DH gives the most amazing footrubs

If you were a kind of yarn what would you be and why?I believe I would be a superwashwool, very soft, sturdy long lasting hard wearing and able to clean up nicely.

If you had to knit/crochet baby booties, a fun fur scarf, or a fair isle sweater, which would you choose and why?Fair Isle sweater....I have done the others many many times. I am knitting Dale ski sweaters now as we are going to the 2010 Olympics

What other event would make you skip a tea party? (A garden party? A book club meeting? A yoga class? Opening night for a new action thriller? etc?)Believe it or not when I was younger I was invited to a tea party. I had to miss it though as my Mom went into labor with baby number 10 I believe, there are 11 of us. I am number 3 but eldest daughter so had to watch the others...

What treat would you consider essential at your tea party? (Sweet? Salty? Scones? Those petite pastry trays with a couple of all sorts of things? Little crust less sandwiches?)Hmmm...teatime in Bermuda always came with a tiered little pastry tray filled with a lovely assortment so I would love to replicate that.

When buying yarn for a project how do you choose - do you buy the one called for or do you substitute?I do both equally...if it is for someone I generally use what is called for...otherwise what I have or like.

What do you carry your knitting/crocheting in when on the go?Oh scroll down and check out the lovely felted Noni I have. I have a few totes from swaps I use.

Favorite movie to watch while knitting/crocheting?Nothing sad as I can't see my stitches then, I love war movies, but my all time favorite is Willy Wonka

Are you a traditional tea cup kind of person or a mug type of person? Do you care if they match?Is there anything nicer than many different teacup/saucer sets ona table? I like the teacup and saucer to match but they don't have to match other teacups and saucers.

Favorite type of scone and jam?Ooooohhh my, blueberry and blueberry or strawberry jam

If you use candles, what is your favorite scent?Bakery smells

If you could choose 3 people to have 'tea' with, who would they be and why? (famous or not, living or dead).My Dad, my boys. My Dad passed away in Jan 2005, I miss him. We spent a few years being distant and he didn't get to know DH til the last weeks. My boys, we don't seem to have much kick back and relax time together unless it is a vacation. I would enjoy having tea and conversation with them.

You've been invited to a tea party, what 'props' will you wear (formal or casual)?Heehee, great question...gloves of course,a brooch at the throat of my blouse, high button shoes, A longish skirt with a petticoat.

Any allergies/preferences you have or are willing to admit to? Not me but nuts in the family, oops family is allergic to nuts

Anything we missed that you want your pal to know? No just have fun...

Monday, July 16, 2007

HOW I LEARNED TO KNITWhen I was a very young girl, I want to say starting around age 5, my Dad's sister would give me a strange octagonal cardboard box each Christmas, Inside was a plastic knitting spool(with 4 prongs) two thin (maybe size 4) plastic knitting needles and three small balls of yarn. In each ball was maybe 12 feet of yarn, the needles were perhaps 8 inches long and had a molding seam up the side. I remember the seam hurt. I would just toss this gift aside, my aunt knit, she was unmarried and an old lady(to me), why would I want to do that? Then one year, maybe around the age 9 or 10, I took all the small balls of yarn I had accumulated and tied them together and rewound them. I had been watching my Mom's Mom knit for some time and reading the instructions that came in that odd octagonal cardboard box and started. I cast on several times and finally when the stitches did not fall off the needle I knit! Now need I say I was bit by the bug? But at that age, with no funding and approximately 100 feet of yarn what was I to do? I ripped and cast on, knitted and ripped and cast on. Get the picture? I finally used the yarn on the spool and made a somewhat long scarf for Barbie. I didn't knit until I was in junior high after that, I had money and would always knit or crochet during study hall at school. It was during the granny square craze and I could make one of those pullover vests during two study halls. I was so cool. Then I discovered the world of dating and of course knitted hats were a good gift.My children came into the picture many years later and a new avenue for knitting opened...up to that pointnieces and nephews were the recipients. I recall a time when DS1 was at a camp and DS2 and I went to pick him up. The boys are 5 1/2 years apart in age. DS2 had on a sweater that DS1 had outgrown. DS1 came running towards me shouting( I thought words of happiness for our presence). He was shouting "Why is he wearing my sweater? I was saving that for my children". DS2 never wore another outgrown sweater and I knew my knitting was as integral in their lives as it was in mine. The boys are big now, both well over 6 feet tall and more yarn is required for their sweaters...but every so often they still request a hat or gloves or...and you can be sure that request will become the current WIP at once.I am not yet 50, soon, and have only been involved in blogs for almost a year. I was a lone knitter and now swaps and Kals are an important part of my knitting life. I love seeing what people are making and sharing knitting wealth through swaps. I am so impressed with us as a group and the charity work we are willing to do. Knitting time is precious and to give that to a cause or a person you don't know speaks volumes about our capacity to give.So, that is how I learned to knit and I am proud to be a knitter.

Saturday, July 14, 2007

What Hogwarts House have I been sorted into? !!This time I have become a RavenclawWhat are my foot measurements?Size 6 1/2 -7 1/2 American sizing. 9.25"long 8.5 inch circumferenceMy three favorite sock yarns:Koigu,Dharmafey Cosmic Fibers(Etsy),Duets Sock YarnYarn I haven’t used but would like to try: Colinette JitterbugType of sock patterns I like:I like anything and everything...I really like Cookie A, Wild HorseVarigated or Solid Yarn? Either, both!!I’ve graduated to the SECOND YEAR class and we will be swapping different items this round than we did the first round. One thing remains the same —– House Socks! It was lots of fun seeing all the patterns the participates generated during the the first round of the Hogwarts Sock Swap. This is a superfun swap. You will need to sign up starting today July 14, then get a new name and sorted into a house. Do sign up and join us for a lot of fun. Sign ups for FIRST YEARS ends July 31

Friday, July 13, 2007

Small break in knitting blogging to wish my DS1 a most healthy and happy 23rd Birthday. I don't know where the time has gone but I dearly wish it would slow down. You and your brother are my pride and joy.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

My Spring Felted Bag Exchange Package has gone out. My poor Pal has been very patient waiting for it to dry before I lined it. I really like it, especially the lining, I hope she does too. She seems to be a very lovely lady and I have enjoyed knitting this for her.Ready to go this weekend Hogwarts Sock Swap package..woohoo. Have not shown socks since my Pal may know who I am, but will post here safely once she has received the owl mail.To go next weekend, Monkey socks to Round 1 participant. I have been angel knitting for her and hope she enjoys these socks. I really liked the yarn and have ordered some moreAlso very soon bag to Knitted Purse Swap2 participant, angel knitting. Have all the goodies just need to finish up the bag, another I really really like and plan on making one for me in the future,ITE4 bag to go out next weekend as well...really like this bag too. I guess if I didn't like them I wouldn't knit them, right? :)I have maybe 10 FO that are not listed on sidebar so will update that as well this weekend.

DS1 has a bday Friday, yes Friday the 13th. He was born on his due date with a full moon in the sky. He has already achieved much, he has his Master's as you know by now. He was in school very early and skipped two grades. Both of my boys were spontaneous readers before the age of 2 and smarter than me before the age of 3 :). I will post a few pics when I update this.

OK must finish things up here at work and rush home to sleep. Not feeling well so may not work tonight..Friday is bday day anyways...I try very hard to not work my sons bdays. Only one day in the whole year is theirs and it should be honored.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

OK, I am grabbing a few moments at work to show some things I received. They are packages from SP10 and from the Spring Felted Bag Exchange. I am so lucky...look what I got!!!

My secret pal Christine sent me these wonderful goodies in my last package. Th small plastic package contains a magnet she got whilst in Scotland. It shows the train from Harry Potter(get the theme?) and she rode it!! How cool is that? Christine has spoiled wonderfully during SP10, thank you so much for being so kind and generous

This is the Bag Ann knitted for me...isn't it beautiful???? I have always wanted a NONI and now I have one...I have neglected my other bags since I received this and get compliments every time. It is funny to answer no to did I make it and say someone made it for me. Ann did a wondrous felting job, the bag is impeccable. The bag is a deep chocolate brown and you can see the flowers, I keep playing with them.

Ann also included some wonderful teas, a tape measure, some yummy candies that seemed to have evaporated, heehee, the cutest little magnet and some cookie mix which I will make Friday for DS1's bday. AND do you see the yarny goodness? CTH, one of my favs, in a beautiful green combo color. Thanks so much Ann. I love everything!!

Sunday, July 08, 2007

SOCKITTOME SOCK SWAP QUESTIONNAIRE

I am going to change up my answers a bit from the norm....color choice, etc....What are your foot measurements? (Please give shoe size, length and circumference.)I wear a size 6 1/2-7 1/2 American sizing. 9 1/2 " long 8 1/2" around instepHow long have you been knitting? How would you rate your experience? (Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced.) Let's see, approximately 40 years, there were starts amd stops but the last 5 years has been nonstop. I am definitely advanced. I have done some professional store knitting, sample knitting, etc.What is your favorite color? Your least favorite color?Always green and purple, but for this swap I would adore something burgundy, red or blue, sapphire blue. Least favorite is pastels, I don't hate them just not my favs but in socks evrything is great.Do you have a favorite fiber? What type? I have really enjoyed the feel of knitting with bamboo yarns, I Love Noro Silk garden, tons of Etsy dealer yarns.Do you have any allergies to certain fibers?Not a oneDo you have an Amazon, or other type of, wishlist? (If so, provide the link.)What techniques, if any, would you like to learn? I think knitting socks on circs, but I adore dpn knitting so haven't learned yetDo you have a sweet tooth? What are your favorite snacks? Unfortunately yes.....I have just started a serious diet so no sweets please. I love teas, fruity, floral.What is your family situation? (Children, Husband, Pets...etc.) One DH, 2 magnificent DSs,one precious GF of DS1 and soon GF of DN will be living with us. Ages 23,22,18,17 and DH and me.Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Metal, plastic or wood? Both, I adore KnitPicks dpns, mad about retro plastic needles, love bambooBesides socks, what are your favorite items to knit? Aran sweaters, felted bags, Dale sweatersIs there a pattern, (sock or otherwise), that you are dying to try? I love Cookie A patterns, have a few, Noni bags, just received one in a swap, gorgeous..entrelac knittingDo you like to read? What are you reading currently?Beside me right now is "Lord of the Rings" 50th anniversary edition, "Son of a Witch","A Year with John Paul 2" to name a fewDo you collect music? (On an iPod or MP3 player.) NoWhat kind of music do you listen to? Elvis Costello, Bare Naked Ladies, Celtic music,Is there anything you collect? Glassware, dishes, Fenton, Eiffel Towers, mr Potato headWhat are your hobbies, aside from knitting? Travel, Photography, skiing, bikingAre you participating in any other swaps or knit alongs? Too many but many are winding upDo you have a favorite scent? Cookie smells, fruity smellsWhen is your birthday? (You don't have to add the year if you don't want to, LOLFebruary 16

Friday, July 06, 2007

1. Why are you punk?Hmmm..I am not sure, but I know I march by my own beat, and seldom follow the crowd2. What are your five favorite things? (these don't have to be knit related)Listening to my family laugh, rain(horrendous rain),rollercoasters, movies that make me cry, the Wizard of Oz3. What are your three favorite things that you have made with knitting/crochet?Aran sweater for my Dad(it was mostly acrylic but Mom gave it back to me when eh passed),DH's kilt hose for our wedding, sweaters for my sons when they were infants4. What five things would you love to see in a swap box someday?Oh my, I have been very very blessed in swaps, but perhaps some nice teacup/saucers, patterns from other countries, kitchy souvenirs5. What are your three favorite yarns?Noro silk garden, Fearless Fibers, Sock Duets MiniWhat are your three least favorite yarns?Acrylic, Acrylic, Acrylic6. What are your five favorite delicacies?Jelly beans, nice teas, scones, jams,cookies7. What are your three favorite guilty pleasures?Chocolate, cocoa, cheesecake8. What would you like your pal to know that is not covered here?I am so in awe of all the knitters spoiling each other, praying for one another, supporting one another....I am grateful to be part of this community. I am proud to be a knitter.

About Me

I am Knitting Knut, my two wonderful boys and dear husband will verify that. I have recently acquired a wonderful daughter in law who has been part of the family for a long time. Who also have gained another lovely young lady this year who will be here on a permanent basis. I am a long time knitter, passion renewed with the crazy blog world. I am in awe of the influx of new young knitters who design at the drop of a hat. All I can say is thank you WWW for allowing all us knuts to band together.
On Ravelry I am also KnittingKnut
Enjoy my blog, comment freely.
UPDATE: I now am blessed to have two wonderful daughters-in-law. They make my sons smile and that is all I ask of them. We now are blessed with a grandson. He is perfect, precious and my littlest love.